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Abstract
The current study aims to investigate the effects of three key demographic factors – the language of marking, gender and age – on markers’ reactions to onscreen marking (OSM). A total of 1743 markers completed a post-marking questionnaire consisting of two previously validated scales, i.e. Ease of Use in the OSM Environment and Acceptance of OSM scales. Rasch analysis results showed that the two scales had good psychometric properties. Markers generally reported finding the system easy to use and positive acceptance of OSM. Markers marking in both English and Chinese had higher perceived ease of use and acceptance than markers who marked only in English or in Chinese. Gender also had a significant impact on markers’ responses to the two scales – favouring males. Age was not a significant factor influencing markers’ perceived ease of use but older markers revealed a significantly higher level of acceptance than younger markers.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority – and in particular Christina Lee, the General Manager for Assessment Development – for support on the project regarding access to markers and for data collection.
Notes
1. The HKDSE is taken by students at the end of six years of secondary education (Year 12); the first HKDSE was held in 2012. The HKALE was taken by students at the end of two-year sixth-form courses (Year 13); the last HKALE was held in 2013.
2. As from 2013, all HKDSE subjects are marked on-screen, with the exception of Literature in English Paper 2 where the marker has to make a marking decision after considering the coverage of the optional questions selected by the candidate.